Republican Sen. John McCain said in a partial statement, “I have known Mike Pompeo for many years and believe he will continue to serve our nation honorably as Secretary of State, if confirmed. … I am confident that Mike Pompeo can meet that challenge as Secretary of State.”

McCain has been in Arizona recuperating from cancer treatment.

Pompeo has long been rumored to be President Donald Trump’s preference to become the country’s top diplomat. The president and Tillerson have disagreed on enough issues that rumors began circulating in the fall that the 65-year-old former Exxon executive would be out soon.

“I’m a little bit surprised (at the firing), but I don’t know know that it was totally unexpected,” Biggs said.

Pompeo steps into the job just as the president and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un have decided to meet for talks. Tillerson had been trying to find a neutral site for the summit.

Kim has already promised not to resume nuclear testing and missile flights.

“This shows … North Korea is not going to get a chance to buffalo the discussion,” Gosar said.

“Mike understands the full breadth of the intelligence community, he understands history, he understands the military from our perspective.”

Biggs had praise for Tillerson’s efforts.

“I thought Tillerson did a really admirable job in advocating the president’s foreign policy and initiatives around the world (but) I think Pompeo is going to be a really good replacement.”